14 Introduction. 



this division are very numerous on our coasts, as anyone will at 

 once acknowledge who has seen the clouds of ducks, gulls, etc., 

 darkening the sea-shore in the autumn. 



Such, then, being a sketch of the five great orders of birds, and 

 such the characteristics of each, the lines of demarcation between 

 them seems so broad and well defined that one might almost be 

 inclined to doubt the possibility of confusing them. Yet (as I 

 before remarked) in nature there seem to be no sudden transi- 

 tions ; no rapid jumps from one kind to another ; no gaps between 

 them ; all is done gradually and with becoming method ; we are 

 led almost insensibly from one order to another, so much does 

 the last species of one assimilate to the first species of the next. 

 Thus, for instance, when passing from the first to the second, 

 from the birds of prey to the perchers, see the connecting link 

 between the two, so ably sustained by the Shrikes or Butcher- 

 birds. Perchers, indeed, they are, with feet as perfect for grasp- 

 ing as any in the class ; at the same time, how like to the birds 

 of prey in their habits, in their cruel method of seizing, impaling 

 on a thorn, and devouring their victims. Again, in passing from 

 the perchers to the ground birds, mark the Pigeons. What a 

 connecting link between the two orders do they form; some 

 partaking of the character of true ' Insessores,' others approxi- 

 mating in every respect to the ' Rasores.' Or, again, in passing 

 from the third to the fourth, from the ground birds to the 

 waders, how slight is the boundary, how gentle the transition 

 from the Bustards to the Plovers ; compare the smaller Bustard, 

 the last of one order, and the great Plover, the first of the next, 

 and how much do they resemble each other, how little the differ- 

 ence to mark the two divisions, how similar in their appearance, 

 their shape, their habits, the locality they affect. And once 

 more, though the webbed feet of the last order may seem at first 

 sight so plain and distinguishing a characteristic as to leave little 

 room for gradual transition here, between the waders and 

 swimmers, yet it is not so : observe the well-known Coot and the 

 Phalaropes ; mark their peculiar feet, furnished with membranes, 

 though not wholly webbed, their decidedly aquatic habits, their 



